Shoe-assembling apparatus.



E. BAYARD.

SHOE ASSBMBLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17,1906.

coLuMBu PLANOORAPII cuqwAsumafoN. l).

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

2 BHEETE-SHBET 1.

@iwentoz Gal/z E. BAYARD. SHOE ASSEMBLING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION IILED MAY17,1906.

1,007,053. Patented 0011.31, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5? M I M attmmeq a COLUMBIA I'LANUDIIAIH CO WASHINGTON. n. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMERY BAYARID, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SHOE-ASSEMBLING- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, .1911.

Application filed May 17, 1906. Serial No. 317,257.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERY Barium, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Assembling Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, and to the 1'eference-numerals marked thereon.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in making shoes and has for its object to provide a machine to be employed for stretching shoe uppers on their lasts, whereby the heel of the vamp, or lower portion of the upper, together with its lining and the counter may be drawn smoothly against and made to conform to the surface of the heel of the last while, preferably, the toe or forward portion of the vamp will be drawn centrally of the last.

In making shoes difficulty has heretofore been experienced in shaping the upper materials of the heel portion of the shoe to the curvature of the side and the rear end faces of the heel of the last. The heel portion of the last is usually shaped approximately like the curved heel portion of the human foot so that the surface of the rear end of the heel of the last is convex from its lower edge upwardly toward the upper edge of the vamp. This causes the middle portion of the surface of the heel part of most lasts to project beyond the upper and lower edges. Heretofore it has been the practice in preparing a shoe for subsequent machine operations to engage the upper at the toe, pull it upwardly over the toe end of the last, and then double it back over the bottom of the last and fasten it. As a result of this procedure those portions of the upper on either side of the median line passing over the toe of the last are left relatively slack and the marginal portion of the upper is loose around the edge of the heel portion of the last instead of hugging the last tightly as it should do for conforming the upper properly to the contour of the last. WVhen the sides and edges of the upper are loose like this it is diflicult, if not impossible, to obtain in the subsequent operations by which the upper is bent over and secured to the innersole as close fitting a heel seat as it is desirable to secure in a lasted shoe.

An important feature of the present invention consists in an apparatus or machine having means for supporting a last with an upper applied to it and means for engaging the forward portion of the upper and straining the upper forwardly, thus conforming the rear or heel portion to the contour of the heel portion of the last, said engaging means being arranged to hold the upper under such lengthwise strain to give opportunity for securing it by tacks or otherwise. Preferably the pulling means is arranged with relation to the last supporting means so that the upper will be drawn taut along its marginal edge from the heel end of the shoe forwardly and so that the upper is held in this condition to give op portunity for bending the edge over the last bottom and fastening it. For the best results the upper will be pulled and held without bending it over the toe end of the last in a way that would seriously interfere with pulling the edge of the upper taut or would materially slacken the edge after it had been pulled. As shown, the upper is pulled over an inverted last by grippers which are guided for movement in such a plane below the sole face of the last that the upper is strained in a substantially right line and pulled into conformity with the shape of the end and the side faces and the edge of the heel portion of the last.

It is also a feature of this invention to secure the grippers in position to hold the upper under strain.

In the usual practice of drawing the upper over the toe of an inverted last the operator is unable to ascertain whether or not the center of the upper is in longitudinal alinement with the center of the last, and it frequently happens that the toe tip seam does not extend straight or at the desired angle with relation to the center line of the shoe. Preferably and as herein shown, the machine is constructed and arranged to permit relative lateral movement of the last and the grippers while the grippers are engaged with the forward portion of the upper. By this means the upper may be shifted longitudinally around or with relation to the last, if, for example, the last be turned on the heel pin before the upper is drawn too snugly against it. Also additional stretch may be given to one or the other side of the shoe as may be required for straining the upper on the last by turning the last slightly after the upper has been drawn into snug contact with the heel end of the last so that it will adhere thereto and move with the last at that place when the last is turned. pers are actuated to effect stretching of the upper by means of a treadle. The treadle may be manipulated a plurality of times for repeatedly stretching and relaxing the upper, if desired, and the adjustment above referredtoof the last in the upper may be effected while the upper is under full tension or when the tension has been partially re- .laxed.

A further feature of the invention consists in providing a gage with relation to which the upper shall be pulled. The gage will preferably be so arranged that the operator may readily ascertain the position to which the toe tip seam has been pulled. lVhile a gage located upon one side of the shoe for determining the extent to which the upper has been pulled lengthwise is of advantage, I prefer to employ gaging mechanism comprising devices arranged upon each side of the shoe by which the relative longitudinal positions of the upper at the toe tip seam on both sides of the shoe may be readily ascertained. By the use of such a gaging mechanism the operator may readily discover if the toe tip seam is straight and by turning the last with relation to the grippers may change the angular relation of the tip seam and the longitudinal axis of the last to position or straighten the seam' when necessary.

. Another feature of the invention is found in the novel gripper mechanism which I prefer to employ and which comprises relatively movable jaws and means for automatically locking them in gripping position and holding them closed independently of the tension upon the upper. Combined with the grippers shown is a tripping device by which the grippers are automatically released during their return movement after having pulled the upper.

hfy invention has for afurther object to provide a machine which is capable of adjustment to accommodate lasts of various sizes and shapes and to vary the line of strain applied to the upper by the grippers, and the movable parts of which may be controlled by a treadle or other similar manually operated device which will leave the workman free to employ both hands in fitting the upper and, when the upper has been stretched, to insert the necessary tacks for securing it to the last. Preferably means is employed for securing the treadlr' with the upper held under strain and as shown the whole apparatus may be rotated after the grippers have been secured and thus either end of the shoe brought to the As herein shown, the gripoperator for manipulating and fastening the upper materials. It is obvious, however, that the machine might be actuated by automatically operated mechanism.

These and other features of the invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodied in my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof showing the parts in operative position. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken on the line 1 4* of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 7 7* of Fig. 6.

Similar reference numerals in the several figures indicate similar parts.

The apparatus illustrated as showing the present embodiment of my invention comprises an upwardly extending frame or standard 1 supported upon the base 2 and surmounted by a revoluble head 3, provided with a pin 4, journaled in a socket at the upper end of the frame. An arm 5 is located above and projects laterally of the head and is provided at one end with a downward projection 6, journaled upon a bolt 7, said projection being provided with a set nut 8 extending through an elongated slot or aperture 9, in an extension 10 on the head, by means of which the arm may be adjusted to change its angular position. Extending upwardly from the inner end of the arm is a projection 11 provided with a vertical slot in which is located a last supporting member 12 provided with a pin or projection 13 adapted to extend into the usual aperture provided in the upper side of the heel portion of a shoe last, indicated by 14, whereby the latter is removably supported in an inverted position above and in vertical alinement with the center of the arm 5. The last, thus supported, is also capable of rotary movement to permit its forward or toe portion to be adjusted laterally out of its normal position. The supporting member 12 is pivoted upon a journal pin 15 and its lower end is extended, as indicated at 16, and adapted to cooperate with a set screw 17 which may be adjusted to permit the last to be tipped to move its forward or toe portion either upwardly or downwardly relatively to the arm 5.

The arm 5 is slotted at its outer end and forms a guide for the gripping devices movable longitudinally thereon and comprising the cooperating jaws 19 and 20, the former of which is provided with laterally extending shoulders 21 resting against the upper surface of the arm and with similar shoulders 22 which engage the lower side there of and project forwardly of the jaws where they are provided with serrations 23. The jaw 20 is pivoted to the jaw 19, at the point 2 1, and its lower end 25 extends forwardly of the corresponding end 26 of the other jaw on which are mounted two pulleys 27 and 28. Pivoted on the forward side of the end 25 of the jaw 20 is a pawl 29 adapted to cooperate with the serrations 23 having a downwardly extending end 30 which is operated outwardly by a spring 31. Extending downwardly from the lower side of the arm 5 is a stationary projection or trip 32 which is adapted to engage the end 30 of the pawl to disengage it when the jaws are moved relatively toward the support on which the last is held. The movable jaw 20 is normally held in an open position by a coil spring 33 which engages its lower end 25 and attached to the latter is a flexible chain or connection 34 which extends beneath the pulley 27, over the pulley 28 and rearwardly over the pulleys 35-35 located at the rear end of the arm 5. The lower end of the connection 3 1 is carried forwardly over a pulley 36, attached to the head 3, and downwardly to a treadle 36 pivoted at the lower end of the frame or standard 1. In order to hold the treadle in adjusted position it is provided at one side with a. pawl 36 which coiiperates with ratchet teeth on a segmental arm 37 attached to the frame 1. The treadle is mounted loosely on its journal pin 38 and is capable of lateral movement to permit the pawl to be moved into inoperative position against the action of a spring 39 which bears against the side of a bracket 40 secured to the arm 37.

Arranged at each side of the arm 5 are plates 40, adjustable vertically on screws 41, having outwardly extending flanges 12 at their upper edges provided with scale divisions, as indicated to form tip measuring or positioning gages. The indices of the two scales are in transverse alinement and are adapted to cotiperate with the edge of the tip on the shoe upper (indicated by dotted lines a in Fig. whereby the ope '2 tor may determine whether or not the shoe upper is drawn centrally on the last, and if not he can correct the difficulty by releasing the clamping jaws and reinserting the shoe upper therein, or the last 14 may be rotated slightly on its pivot 13. The scales perform the further function of indicating the distance shoe uppers of various sizes should be stretched to bring their toe portions into proper position on the corresponding parts of their lasts.

The operation of the lasting machine will now be readily understood. The last or lasting block 141 is placed in an inverted position on the pin 13 of the support 12 and the previously prepared upper which contains the moistened counter or stiffening piece, is placed thereon in the desired position. The forward end or toe portion and its lining are drawn forwardly and inserted between the grippers or jaws 19 and 20, which are set by a downward movement of the treadle 36, the latter acting through the connection 34 to operate the movable jaw 20 into engagement with the jaw 19 in which position it is held by the pawl 29, as shown in Fig. 2. The downward move ment of the treadle also causes a rearward movement of the gripping devices on the arm 5, in a direction longitudinally of the last against the tension of the spring 43, where they may be retained until the tacking operations have been completed.

The relation of the toe tip seam to the last may be ascertained before the tacks are driven and if the gage shows that the seam is not straight on the last the upper and last may be relatively positioned by turning the last about the heel pin, thus stretching the upper on one side or the other as may be required, or the tension on the upper may be relaxed and the last turned within the upper to effect a relative adjustment of the last and upper. \Vhen the treadle is released from its locking device after the upper has been secured to the innersole the gripping devices are permitted to return to their normal position to automatically release the jaws by the engagement of the end 30 of the pawl with the trip 32. The gripping de' vices are located beneath the last and the support 12 for the latter is adjusted to incline the last relatively to the arm 5 in such a position that as the clamping devices move outwardly and upwardly on the curved end of the arm, the line of draft or tension of the shoe upper is in a direction parallel to the sole of the heel, in a line lying approximately midway between the latter and the top edge of the last, as indicated by the dot and dash line AA in Fig. 2. The gripping devices being supported independently of the last and operated in the manner described, are capable of being actuated to move the upper into contact with the entire surface of the heel of the last and to hold it in this position while the usual tacks or securing devices are inserted in the heel portion. By curving the outer end of the sup porting arm 5, the clamping devices are moved upwardly at about the time they reach the limit of their outward movement and this permits the operator to grasp the free side edges of the upper and secure them to opposite sides of the ball of the sole. As the last mentioned operation is performed while the upper is under tension, the liability of drawing it unequally either to one sideor the other of the last, is greatly lessened.

An apparatus constructed in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of my in- & 1,007,053

ing the invention is arranged to support a shoe in inverted position and the grippers are located below the shoe. In some ofthe claims I have referred to the apparatus as supporting the last in inverted position and to the grippers as located below the last merely for the purpose of making clear the relation of the grippers to the last. These claims are not to be understood as limited to a particular relation of the last and grippers to the rest of the apparatus. It is obvious that the shoe might, for example, be supported in upright position in which case the grippers would be arranged above the last.

The method of making shoes herein disclosed is not claimed in this application as it forms the subject-matter of United States Letters Patent No. 855,831, granted June 1, 1907, on an application filed by me.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support for a last, and gripping devices constructed and arranged for engaging the toe end of an upper placed on the last and operatively connected with the last support, of means for moving the gripping devices and support relatively to stretch the upper lengthwise on the last,

said parts being relatively arranged and constructed to causethe upper to be stretched in a substantially straight line over the top face of the toe of the last.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support adapted to receive a last, and devices having a permanent connection with'said last support and adapted to grip the toe of a shoe upper ar ranged on the last, of means for moving the last support and the toe gripper relatively to strain the heel portion of the upper about the heel of the last, and means for guiding the moving part in a path to cause the edges of the upper to be strained and maintained under tension.

In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support for a last, of gripping devices constructed and arranged for gripping the toe of the upper, and a single operating means to actuate said gripping devices and the last relatively for pulling the upper lengthwise of the last, and holding the upper with its marginal edge under lengthwise strain to permit portions of the upper to be secured to an innersole while the upper is under such strain.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last with the upper loosely applied over the top face of the fore part, and grippers operatively connected with the last holding means and arranged on the same side of the plane of the last bottom as the top face of the last and adapted to engage the upper, of means for actuating the grippers and the last holding means relatively for straining the upper lengthwise of the last.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for sustaining a last in inverted position with the upper free to stretch lengthwise along the top face of the last, of grippers adapted to engage an upper appliedto the last, and a guide which is located below the sole of the inverted last and in which the grippers are movable for straining the upper lengthwise of the last.

6. An apparatus of the class described, comprising means for sustaining a last in inverted position, grippers movable independently of the last sustaining means, and a guide on which the grippers are movable in a plane below the adjacent face of the inverted last, said apparatus having provision for adjustment to vary the path of movement of the grippers with relation to the last.

7. In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a frame, a support thereon for an inverted last, and a guide on the frame arranged to extend lengthwise of and below the inverted last, and curved upwardly toward the plane of the last bottom, of grippers mounted on the guide, and means for actuating the grippers along said guide below the last to pull the upper.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last. of grippers arranged on the same side of the plane of the last bottom as the top face of the last is located for engaging an upper placed on the last, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the last holding means for pulling the upper lengthwise and maintaining the upper under lengthwise strain.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last, of grippers for engaging the toe of an upper applied to the last, means for actuating the grippers and the last holding means relatively to strain the upper lengthwise of the last, and means for guiding the grippers with relation to the last so that the upper will be stretched in a substantially straight line over the .top face of the toe of the last.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last in inverted position, of grippers arranged below the last for engaging an upper placed on the last, means for actuating the grippers and the last holding means relatively to pull the upper lengthwise of the last, and means for locking the grippers to maintain the upper under lengthwise strain.

11. In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a frame, a guide arm thereon and cooperating gripping jaws mounted in the guide arm and constructed and arranged to engage an upper on a last in substantially the median line of the shoe, of a support for the last at one end of the arm, an actuator, and connections between it and the jaws for moving the jaws longitudinally of the arm to stretch the upper at the two sides of the shoe from the heel to the toe.

12. In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a frame, a slotted arm thereon and cooperating gripping jaws mounted in the slot, of a support for a last at one end of the arm and actuating means connected to the jaws for closing them and also moving them longitudinally of the arm.

13. In a shoe assembling machine, the com.- bination with a frame, an arm. thereon, cooperating gripping jaws movably mounted on the arm, and a support for a last located at one end of the arm, of a treadle, means connected to the treadle for closing the jaws and moving them longitudinally on the arm, and locking means for holding the grippers in the position which they are moved.

14. In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a frame having an arm, a support for a last at one end of the arm, and cooperating gripping jaws guided on the arm in position to engage the upper in substantially the median line of the shoe, of a treadle connected to the jaws by means which causes the jaws first to close upon the upper and then to slide on the arm for stretching the upper lengthwise, a pawl on the treadle, and a rack cooperating with the pawl.

15. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with grippers comprising relatively movable members and actuating means for closing the grippers and moving them to pull stock, of means for automatically locking the gripper members in closed relation and holding them independently of any tension on the stock.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support for holding a last in an inverted position, and a guide arranged below the supported last, of grippers mounted in the guide, and means for moving the grippers in the guide to strain the upper lengthwise of the last in an approximately right line.

17 In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a frame having an arm and a support for the last, of cooperating gripping jaws guided on the arm, means for securing them in gripping relation, and a tripping device cooperating with said means to release the jaws when moved in one direction.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support for a last, and grippers for engaging a shoe upper placed on the last, of means for moving the support and grippers relatively to strain the upper, and means to indicate the longitudinal position of the upper at the two side edges of the last.

19. In a shoe assembling machine, the combination with a support for a last, and grippers for engaging a shoe upper placed on the last, of means for moving the support and grippers relatively to strain the upper, and gages arranged relatively to opposite sides of the tie portion of said upper to show the relative positions to which said two sides of the upper are pulled by the grippers.

20. In a machine for stretching a shoe upper to cause the heel portion thereof to conform to the curved surfaces of the heel of a last, the combination with means for holding a last in an inverted position, of grippers in dependent of the shoe holding means and adapted to engage the shoe upper, a guide on the frame directing the movement of the grippers in a plane below the last and in a direction to draw the heel portion of the upper .into engagement with the curved heel end of the last throughout its height, and means for moving the grippers on the guide.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a guide arm and cooperating gripping members arranged in the guide arm to have their path of movement controlled therebv of a support for a last at one end of the guide arm, a trcadle, and connections between the treadle and the gripping members for closing said members and then moving them longitudinally of the guide arm away from the support.

22. I11 an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a guide arm and cooperating gripping members arranged in the guide arm to have their path of movement controlled thereby, of a support for a last at one end of the guide arm, a treadle, connections between the treadle and gripping members for closing the grippers and then moving them longitudinally of the guide arm away from the support, means for locking the treadle in the positions to which it is moved, and a base upon which said parts are mounted for turning movement about an upright axis.

23. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for support ing a last and means for pulling an upper lengthwise of the last in substantially the median line of the shoe, said machine being so constructed and arranged that the last may be turned Within the upper for making relative adjustment of the upper and last.

24. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for support ing a last for movement about a single pivotal point located at the heel end leaving the fore part free, means for pulling the upper lengthwise of the last to tighten it about the heel end of the last, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit the last to be turned laterally about said pivotal support for adjusting the upper relatively to the last.

25. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last for movement about a single pivotal point located at the heel end, and means for putting the upper at the two sides of the shoe under lengthwise forward strain and tightening it about the heel end of the last, said parts being constructed and arranged to permit the last to be turned about said pivotal point to vary the relative strains on the two sides of the upper.

26. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last for movement about a single pivotal point located at the heel end, and means for pulling the upper in a substantially straight line over the top face of the toe of the last and holding the marginal portions of the upper at the sides under tension, said parts being constructed and arranged to permit free turning movement of the last later ally to vary the relative strains on the marginal portions of the upper at the two sides of the shoe.

27. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for pulling an upper on the last, and means for indicating the relation of the toe tip line to the last.

28. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for pulling an upper on the last, and a tip gage in proximity to the toe tip line of the upper to indicate the relation of the tip line to the length of the last.

29. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for pulling an upper on the last, and tip measuring means arranged to indicate the angular relation of the toe tip line to the longitudinal axis of the last.

30. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for pulling an upper on the last, and tip measuring means arranged to indicate the angular relation of the toe tip line to the longitudinal aXis of the last, said machine having provision for adjusting the upper and the last relatively to change said angular relation.

31. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for gripping the forward portion of the upper, means for relatively moving the last and gripper to pull the upper lengthwise, and a toe tip line gage arranged to indicate the relation of the tip line of the pulled upper to the last.

32. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for gripping the forward portion of the upper, means for relatively moving the last and gripper to pull the upper lengthwise, and a toe tip line gage 0c-' cupying a fixed lengthwise relation to the last during the upper pulling operation and arranged with relation to the upper to indicate visually to the operator the relation of the tip line to the last.

33. An apparatus of the class described having, in combination, means for supporting a last, means for gripping the forward portion of the upper, means for relatively moving the last and gripper to pull the upper lengthwise, and toe tip line gages at opposite ends of the tip line of the upper, said machine having provision for relatively adjusting the last and the upper to change the relation of the tip line to the last.

34. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last and grippers arranged on. the same side of the plane of the last bottom as the top face of the last, of means for relatively actuating the last holding means and the grippers to strain the upper lengthwise, and means for indicating the relation of the tip line of the upper to the last.

35. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for holding a last and grippers arranged on the same side of the plane of the last bottom as the top face of the last, of means for relatively actuating the last holding means and the grippers to strain the upper lengthwise, and measuring means adjacent to the tip line for indicating the extent to which the upper is pulled forwardly.

36,, An apparatus of the class described,'

having, in combination, grippers for pulling an upper at the toe, a last support arranged to resist the pull of the grippers and to sustain the shoe with the upper free to stretch over the forward portion of the last, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the last support to put the upper under tension, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit relative lateral movements of the last and the toe grippers adapted for angularly positioning the tip line of the upper and the last.

37. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination, an upper, a last support arranged to resist the pull of the grippers, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the last support to pull the upper, said parts being constructed and arranged to permit lateral angular movement of the last in the upper held by the grippers for the purpose of positioning the last relatively to the tip line of the upper.

88. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination, grippers for pulling an upper, a last support arranged to resist the pull of the grippers, and means for relatively actuating the grippers and the last support to put the upper under tension about the last and hold it to permit examination of the upper, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit movement of the last laterally about an axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the last bottom to position the last angularly with relation to the tip line of the upper.-

39. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination with suitable actuating means, a toe gripper and a last which are relatively movable to stretch the upper longitudinally of the shoe, and relatively movable laterally to adjust the upper for straightening the tip line.

450. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination with suitable actuating means a toe gripper and a last which is relatively movable in a direction to stretch the upper longitudinally of the last, one of said parts being angularly movable laterally to adjust the upper.

41. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination with suitable actuating means, a toe gripper and a last which are arranged to be relatively moved for repeatedly stretching an upper over the last lengthwise, and means for locking the parts with the upper held under tension.

&2. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination with suitable actuating means, a toe gripper and a last which are arranged to be relatively moved for repeatedly stretching an upper over the last, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit relative angular adjustment of the stretched upper and the last while tension is relaxed between the gripper and the last, and means for locking the parts with the upper under tension.

43. A machine of the class described, having, in combination, grippers, a last support, and operating devices for first closing the grippers on the work and then relatively actuating the grippers and the last to put the upper under tension and hold it for examination, said parts being constructed and arranged to permit relaxation of the tension on the upper and movement of the last to adjust the upper and last relatively while the tension is so relaxed and for thereafter restoring the tension on the upper.

44. An apparatus of the class described, having, in ctm'ibination, a last support, grippers operatively connected with the last support, and manually actuated means for relatively moving the grippers and support to pull the upper, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit relative movement of the grippers and last to adjust the upper for straightening the tip line of the upper.

e5. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination, last supporting means having provision for holding a last against forward displacement, grippers to engage the toe end of the upper at opposite sides of the median line of the shoe, and means for relatively actuating the toe grippers and the last to put the upper under lengthwise tension, said parts being constructed and arranged for relative movement to change the lengthwise tension on one side of the shoe relatively to that on the other side of the shoe for straightening the tip line of the upper.

46. An apparatus of the class described, having, in combination, a last support, toe grippers, means for actuating the grippers to put the upper under lengthwise tension, and means to lock the grippers with the upper under tension, said machine being constructed and arranged to permit unlocking of the grippers and manipulation thereof to relax and restore tension on the upper and to permit the last and upper to be shifted relatively to straighten the tip line while the tension is relaxed.

47. An apparatus'of the class described having, in combination, last supporting mains including a heel spindle, means for gripping the upper and means for relatively actuating the gripping means and the last to pull the upper on the last, said parts being arranged to permit lateral movement of the last pivotally about the heel spindle while the upper is held by the gripping means.

EMERY BAYARD. itnesses Curran B. PAYNE, Russnnn B. GRIFFITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,007 ,053, granted October 31,

1911, upon the application of Emery Bayard, of Rochester, New York, for ad improvementtin Shoe-Assembling Apparatus, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 33, after the Word position insert the word to, and same page, line Set, for the word tie read toe, and that the SitiCl Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of December, A. D., 1911.

E. B. MOORE,

Commissioner" of Patents.

[SEAL] 

